Good news day

[blackfox]

On Monday I went for my first diabetes check up , it’s been a worrying 3/ 4 months since I was diagnosed , and at the time I was read the riot act by the nurse as I was at dangerously high blood sugar levels , and since then I’ve had to change lifestyles and cut out most items I loved to indulge in , I have since Xmas lost over a stone in weight and dropped four inches or more off my trouser waist measurement. .
So todays update was waited with bated breath and all good my blood sugar levels are approaching normal , and all other tests have come back clear as well . Very pleased and a weight off mine and the wife’s minds . Next check up in six months hopefully will be even better 😀

[Dave in Wales]

Well done my friend, diet is not easy.

[Gerry]

Excellent News Jeff, perseverance pays in the end.

[SJB1956]

Congratulations. Keep up the good work and well done on your achievements to date.

[gazza95]

Well done Jeff. Was in similar position a couple of years ago.

cutting out most carbs makes a huge difference. Also makes you realise that health advice we have all been given since 1970’s has been totally wrong and caused the diabetes epademic!

gary

[blackfox]

Totally agree , starting to feel fitter for it to

[Melaka]

That's a most impressive dieting regime.

[blackfox]

Cut out most bread , and cut back on potatoes , no chocs or cream cakes ,no alcohol . No wonder I’ve been miserable 😅😅🤯

[Melaka]

I'd struggle without those!

[MJ224]

In proportion is the way....difficult to assign that though...

[MJ224]

Well done Mate...

[Phill D]

Yes really well done that's an amazing weight and waist size drop. Have to say I'd struggle missing out on the things you gave up too.

[Bobblejack]

I know I've been changing my diet recently and know how difficult it can be. Trying to cut out as much 'rubbish' food as possible. Easy, it ain't! Keep up the good work; you know it makes sense, and it's worth it. I certainly feel better in myself when I'm eating healthily, and notice the difference when I'm not.

[NEO_1]

Well done, Jeff - from a diabetic at the other end of the 'journey' - just about to pass my 50th year as a Type 1 diabetic - I know how hard it can be sometimes but what seems a challenge will be worth it in the end! All I can say is that the care is so much better these days so keep up the good work!

Take care and best regards Neil

[blackfox]

Thanks. For all the kind wishes and thoughts , I think a lot of people don’t realise the mental stress an illness or disease can have . The sheer relief after yesterday’s phone call is hard to put into words but it’s tangible … my daughter who is a diabetes advisor just sent me a full explanation of what the actual figures mean and with a blood sugar figure of 50 I’m just above remission level which is 48 .. so I have to keep on track and hope it drops further .. once again thanks for the comments

[Gate Keeper]

Congratulations Jeff and do feel proud of yourself and with the sacrifices you have had to make.

I have some insight into weight loss and I remember my cardiologist telling me how it was the best thing I could do for my heart. I lost 30kg following a partial stomach and oesophagus removal last year.

You might have to treat yourself to a new wardrobe of clothes so that trousers or shorts don’t fall down in the field.

I am trying to put weight on and I am not diabetic. My doctor has told me to eat chocolate, crisps and burgers.

Have not tried alcohol yet, but looking forward to it.

Please Jeff keep posting with your progress, you are doing well and there is much support for you here if you falter.

It is great news during the troubled times whilst the world is in turmoil.

Thank you so very much for sharing

Phil

[blackfox]

Cheers Phil ,I know exactly what you mean about clothing , got two pairs of marks and spencer jeans a few weeks old that are now to big ,the next size down ones only a couple of weeks old are starting to feel loose , even my belts when tightened now have to much tongue on them 🤯😱 it’s good but expensive .

[Ian]

Fantastic news, Jeff. I went through this very same journey about ten years ago. It was a shock being diagnosed, but I was very overweight in my mid-late 40s. I was about 16 stone, and managed to get down to around 11. I did the extreme low calorie regime guided by Professor Roy Taylor of Newcastle University - around 600 calories a day! It was tough, but it became an obsession. My doctor didn't think I was up to the hard work of losing weight and changing my lifestyle through more exercise and a strict diet, and wanted me to go on metformin and statins (not sure why the latter, as my cholesterol has always been very good).

People, especially those who knew me well but didn't see me that frequently, thought my weight loss was shocking and that I must be very ill. Well-meaning comments that I needed to put weight back on were't very helpful.

But the damage was done and I had diabetic retinopathy in both eyes. But the hard work paid off and I was told after 4 years of monitoring that the retinopathy had gone, much to their surprise.

But I am not 'cured' - my weight has crept back up and I'm now 12 and a half stone. I think an ideal weight for me would be about 11 and half stone. I still follow a very low carb diet, but last Christmas I did relax my resistance to sweet things and at the beginning March this year I was informed that the retinopathy has returned, although not as badly as before. My blood sugar was definitely higher than ideal, if not full-on diabetic. My South East Asian heritage through my mother probably make me more sensitive to the issue as well.

Ian

[gazza95]

When I got the initial diagnosis a friend suggested using a Continuous Glucose Monitor, CGM. These stick on your arm and you get a graph of glucose levels. Not cheap at £50 for 12 days but I found them useful to highlight where I went wrong.

My problem was portion size and mixing two things with lowish carbs. Sometimes easier to cut something out rather than have small portion. Why is there always an extra potato to finish off.......

Also found that large Cornish Pasties were a no go. Each one had had 1.5 times my daily allowance of carbs.....


Gary